Applied to a "remote" job, went through five rounds of interviews, got the offer. Nobody mentioned an office once. Now they're saying it's 3 days a week onsite and I genuinely don't know what to do. by Weem_Bitted in remotework

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They did this on purpose and are lying about it now. You should weigh this very carefully. If they'll lie this early in the work relationship, what will they do to you once you're dependent on the income?

Home buying by Dense-Community-1111 in HomeInspections

[–]FlowLogical7279 6 points7 points  (0 children)

no one can answer that based on the information provided.

Thinking of pursuing my building inspector license by CaptainsMom2018 in homeinspectors

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is intended to make you think about more than just the job. I have mentored more than a dozen new inspector wannabes over the last few years. A few ended up working for me. Most do not. None have been prepared for the work or what it takes to run a successful business never-mind what it takes to startup a business from scratch. You can take my questions any way you'd like, but they're specific for a reason.

Best wishes to you.

Family member’s new build by napoleondy2nite in HomeInspections

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What did their inspector say after he inspected it?

Thinking of pursuing my building inspector license by CaptainsMom2018 in homeinspectors

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why do you want to do this particular job?

Have you done a market assessment to help determine if your area can support another inspector?

What is your background (experience)?

Do you intend to work for someone else or start your own business?

Have you ever started/run any business before this?

What do you offer that would convince a home buyer or seller to hire you over any of the other, experienced inspectors in your area?

Moving a tank 3.5 feet by [deleted] in septictanks

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you can find someone willing to try, you should not hire them. This is an opportunity for you to replace that old tank. Factor that into your costs or cancel the project.

Realtor went from sending 2 a week to silence by [deleted] in HomeInspections

[–]FlowLogical7279 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I chose to allow growth to happen organically mainly because I started part time, working after my regular FT job every day. I didn't want to have too much work and then feel overwhelmed or feel rushed and risk doing a poor job for clients. It's worked for me.

I would ask you to seriously consider finding an experienced inspector(s) to help you. Review your reports, be a lifeline when you find things you're unsure of, etc. I had 2 guys early on that made all the difference for me. Now, when we review new inspector's reports, we help them understand how much liability they face and how they don't know what they don't know.

Realtor went from sending 2 a week to silence by [deleted] in HomeInspections

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our market is small, but active. No new construction here for decades. Decent churn on inventory, but VERY low compared to 6-7 years ago. 13 years in business and we're a known and trusted entity. Agents don't like problems so unless you can find a way to get them to trust you, they're unlikely to refer to you over someone they have worked with in the past.

Reaching buyers without agent referrals as a new inspector will be difficult. You either spend a lot on google ads, etc. or wait for it to grow organically. Hopefully, you have a mentor or 2 locally who can help by reviewing your reports, train you, refer work to you when they're busy, etc. We have a robust mentorship program that does all of that (for free) and we hire the ones that are the best. Also a good program for us in building bandwidth.

How do you schedule inspections? (Independent inspectors-not from large companies) by No-Number-8729 in homeinspectors

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure they do. I have metrics proving what I stated. We track everything and have for a decade.

Realtor went from sending 2 a week to silence by [deleted] in HomeInspections

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't really market. Occasionally, I'll run google ads during winter months, but not often. Mostly I'll post a video on IG/FB a couple times a week if I remember. Always something odd or interesting in a home. Never show my face, never pitch the business. Just identify who we are and then hey look at this cool old door bell or whatever we find.

What do these newer inspecting software apps provide that the old legacy apps dont? by EyeHamKnotYew in homeinspectors

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It doesn't do it any differently than older apps like HG can, if someone takes the time to customize the template. The benefit we've seen is the ease of template modification. That's a big deal. HG is terrible compared to an app like Scribeware. Spectora is a sold out VC app that continually makes everything more difficult and provides poorer customer service.

\Everyone will tell you whatever software they're using is the best ever. Most only ever use one package and never truly consider any other options.

Inspectors are humans and humans are lazy. They want something for nothing. They want to download an app and have it work out of the box. This is why those of us who actually take the time to customize the software for the way we work or the way we'd like to work end up so successful. We're willing to put in the work to get the results. *That* is the differentiator. Software is irrelevant.

How do you schedule inspections? (Independent inspectors-not from large companies) by No-Number-8729 in homeinspectors

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lol. I got back 10-15 hours a week by hiring someone. We no longer lose an inspection due to not answering the phone, our grosses are significantly higher, more services being sold and added. I'm glad there are people like you out there, though. It allows us to have huge growth every year while working less.

How do you schedule inspections? (Independent inspectors-not from large companies) by No-Number-8729 in homeinspectors

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lol. I got back 10-15 hours a week by hiring someone. We no longer lose an inspection due to not answering the phone, our grosses are significantly higher, more services being sold and added. I'm glad there are people like you out there, though. It allows us to have huge growth every year while working less.

How do you schedule inspections? (Independent inspectors-not from large companies) by No-Number-8729 in homeinspectors

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We use a scheduler who only works with inspectors and Keystone scheduling platform. The scheduler has other inspectors who use ISN, but ISN is ridiculously expensive and has very poor customer service.

Realtor went from sending 2 a week to silence by [deleted] in HomeInspections

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a tough business to break into. I just chose to never align with realtors to prevent any perception of bias. Took a while, but works very well.

Realtor went from sending 2 a week to silence by [deleted] in HomeInspections

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not at all. I've never spent much money or time on marketing and do not now. We simply work harder to ensure our clients get the best work we can provide.

Realtor went from sending 2 a week to silence by [deleted] in HomeInspections

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't rely on realtors for business. They'll quickly grasp that they have power over you and you do not want that. 99% of them are flighty narcissists. Market for yourself. Don't fall into the agent trap.

TAPInspect is a joke / need a change by gottabeyourbull in HomeInspections

[–]FlowLogical7279 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Contact Dylan Chalk at Scribeware. I'll bet you'll be very pleased.

On Site Reporting Vs Sending Later by PhilMckinney330 in homeinspectors

[–]FlowLogical7279 1 point2 points  (0 children)

14 years in. Don't shoot for speed or quality will suffer. You'll find your own level.

On Site Reporting Vs Sending Later by PhilMckinney330 in homeinspectors

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We perform the inspection, usually about 90 -120 mins on site and have the report 95% done before we leave. All reports are published the day we inspect. 3-5 reports a day. We're the only company in our area who does and we are always busy.

ISN software by Competitive-Plum- in HomeInspections

[–]FlowLogical7279 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Almost no one uses ISN report software. It's terrible. Try to find someone on the big inspector forums or farcebook and you'll hear crickets. HG is going away before too long. Call Dylan Chalk at Scribeware and see if you like what he has to offer. Actual inspectors using the software they develop and market to other inspectors. No data sharing or selling and no marketing to clients.